2004–11–16–2

Fuzzy Falluja Math

Surely he’s not suggesting the U.S. military is lying… and the New York Times as collaborators? No, it couldn’t be! Greg Palast seems to think that we need a Falluja Arithmetic Lesson:

Today’s New York Times, page 1:

“American commanders said 38 service members had been killed and 275 wounded in the Falluja assault.”

Today’s New York Times, page 11:

“The American military hospital here reported that it had treated 419 American soldiers since the siege of Falluja began.”

Questions for the class:

1. If 275 soldiers were wounded in Falluja and 419 are treated for wounds, how many were shot on the plane ride to Germany?
2. We’re told only 275 soldiers were wounded but 419 treated for wounds; and we’re told that 38 soldiers died. So how many will be buried?
3. How long have these Times reporters been embedded with with military? Bonus question: When will they get out of bed with the military?

Today’s New York Times, page 1:

“The commanders estimated that 1,200 to 1,600 insurgents had been killed.”

Today’s New York Times, page 11:

“Nowhere to be found: the remains of the insurgents that the tanks had been sent in to destroy. …The absence of insurgent bodies in Falluja has remained an enduring mystery.”